Leicester fans mingle with Atletico supporters in Madrid for fun in the sun ahead of their Champions League quarter-final
LEICESTER fans went merry in Madrid and mingled with Atletico supporters as the Foxes prepared for one of the biggest evenings in their history.
The party atmosphere contrasted dramatically with last night when when Spanish police charged at some travelling fans.
Leicester fans revelled in the Madrid heat this afternoon ahead of the quarter-finalPA:Press Association
Many Leicester supporters went topless this afternoon to down beers and chant songs before tonight’s Champions League quarter-final, while other played football in the town centre and chatted with home fans.
Eight Foxes’ followers were arrested yesterday evening for what police called “causing a mess”.
But today was cooler and calmer – in everything but the weather.
Foxes supporters were happy to mix with Atletico fans in the town centreReuters
And Leicester fans must hope their players respond in a similar way tonight when they begin as underdogs at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare has transformed the form and mood of a Foxes’ squad who won the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri last season before subsiding to a relegation battle this term.
Travelling fans must hope they will enjoy tonight as much as their afternoonPA:Press AssociationLeicester fans showed off their football skills to kill time before the quarter-finalReuters
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Leicester fans are making a song and a dance of the eagerly-awaited excursionGetty Images
Leicester are now safe but their sudden emergence in the past 20 months contrasts with the steadier progress and now amazing stability that Diego Simeone has given to Atletico.
The Argentinian manager took over in 2011 and guided them to the La Liga title three years later, plus two Champions League finals.
Fans relaxed in the streets but might expect a tense night on the pitch at the Vicente Calderon Stadium tonight in the Champions League quarter-final first legGetty ImagesFans swapped greetings and good wishes as Leicester prepare for the big nightReutersFans found new ways of getting around in Madrid ahead of the quarter-finalReuters
Atletico are now established just behind traditional Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona – whereas the Foxes’ slump for most of this season shows how hard it is to consistently challenge the Prem’s ‘big six’ clubs.
Leicester, though, transferred last term’s title-winning form to this season’s Champions League.
And those fans who mixed with Atletico supporters today were surely mentioning the Foxes’ last-16 defeat of much-fancied Spaniards Sevilla.
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